2012-2013College Football SeasonOrange BowlPost-Game

Game Recap

by CFP Staff
January 2, 2013

Florida State scored the final 14 points of the Orange Bowl to pull away for a 31-10 win over Northern Illinois.

The Huskies never led, but managed to stay within range until a controversial fumble call set up FSU's final touchdown.

The score was just 7-3 after one quarter and 17-10 at the end of three, but when it was all said and done, the Seminoles had racked up 530 yards of offense to NIU's 271.

E.J. Manuel threw for 285 and a touchdown and Lonnie Pryor ran for 134 and 2 scores on just 5 carries. Pryor's 60-yard dash opened the scoring and his 37-yard burst ended it.

FSU kicker Dustin Hopkins made his 88th career field goal to top Billy Bennett of Georgia's FBS record of 87 that was achieved from 2000-2003.

The win was FSU's 5th straight in a bowl game while the Huskies saw a 2-bowl win streak end in Rod Carey's debut as head coach.

Dave Doeren was announced as the new head coaching hire by N.C. State on December 1, the day after leading Northern Illinois to its second MAC Championship in his only two seasons at the school. He compiled records of 23-4 overall and 17-1 vs. MAC schools, including the two conference championship game wins.

Carey, the offensive line coach under Doeren, was named as the successor on December 2.

Northern Illinois was the first MAC team to ever gain access to a BCS bowl and was able to do so because of a weak Big East whose conference champion finished behind the 15th-ranked Huskies in the final BCS Standings. NIU was also the first team from a non-automatic qualifying conference to land a BCS bowl bid without being undefeated.

The Huskies and 'Noles each finished 12-2.

Florida State advanced as champions of the ACC for the first time since 2005.

The Congrove Computer Rankings at CollegeFootballPoll.com forecasted an 8.69-point victory for the 'Noles.